SCHENECTADY Proctors movie festival to have gay theme Venue cites desire to be inclusive, promote community BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.
Proctors will hold a gay-themed movie festival in January, the fi rst of what organizers hope will be an annual event to promote understanding and dialogue within the community. The festival is called “Qfest” and will run Jan. 26-31 at the GE Theatre. Films will focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the region, said Joey Hunziker, Proctors’ youth and community programs manager. Proctors CEO Philip Morris said Qfest is no different from other programs and festivals the entertainment facility has organized and sponsored over the years to promote community. He cited recent shows such as “Merchants of Bollywood,” the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Mazowsze, LAF Italiano and “Fiddler on the Roof” as part of Proctors’ efforts to be inclusive. “We are keenly aware of our impact and responsibility to connect to our constituents in every community we serve. Proctors’ future vitality depends on the concerted efforts of many. We continue to demonstrate that we are a real goto place, a convenient, embracing and beautiful venue for sharing ideas, discussing issues — and just having fun in ways that build and strengthen community within the region,” Morris said. Hunziker said, “Proctors is one of the largest community organizations in the area, and we as an organization respect and try to include everyone. That is one of our goals, to be inclusive and offer a variety of perspectives from movies to main stage shows to our fi lm festivals.” Hunziker said the schedule of fi lms to be presented at Qfest remains under development. “We have looked at 50 to 100 movies just trying to find movies that are relevant toward creating a conversation and provoking thought and the progress of ideas in the LGBTQ community,” he said. .................>>>>...................>>>>......................................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....01001&AppName=1#
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